Method and apparatus for testing coal coking properties

ABSTRACT

A method of testing the coking qualities of sample quantities of coal in a test container and the structure of the test container are disclosed. A test container which is ideally reusable is adapted to receive one or more samples of coal to be tested and then the test container is inserted into a coking oven along with additional, conventional coal during a conventional coking operation. Following the completion or substantial completion of the coking operation, the test container is recovered and from the conventional converted coke and the sample(s) of coke are removed from the container for testing and evaluation. The container is recharged with one or more additional samples of coke and reused in another conventional coking operation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/598,394, filed Aug. 29, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present innovations relate generally to the field of producing cokefrom coal and more particularly to a method and apparatus for testingand evaluating the coking quality of coal in a commercial coke oven.

Coke is a key ingredient used in the manufacture of steel and othercommercial applications and coke is typically produced by heating coalin a controlled atmosphere for long periods of time to drive offvolatile materials and impurities from coal and convert or reduce thecoal to coke. Because coal is an organic material the components of coalcan vary widely and this wide variation in components results indisparate coking capabilities for coal mined from different locations.Some coal can be converted into high quality, metallurgical coke andsome lack the necessary components or have too many impurities andresult in a poor quality coke. Due to the wide range of coking qualitiesof coke, it is necessary to test the coking performance of coal and testthe coking performance of various blends of coal. Unfortunately, thereis an inadequate supply of testing ovens for evaluating the cokingperformance of coal and blends of coal and therefore, there is a needfor developing some means for testing the coking performance of coal andblends of coal as part of continuously operating commercial coke ovenoperation. In the past, expendable, single-use containers have been usedduring a commercial coke oven operation in order to test the cokingperformance of coal samples. However, the expendable, single-usecontainers such as cardboard have been consumed in the extremeenvironment of the commercial coke oven and once the container has beenconsumed, or otherwise destroyed, it can be difficult to recover thesample of coal which has been at least partially converted into coke andthe consumed material may leave behind ash or undesirable impurities inthe converted coke.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The innovations include a method of evaluating the coking properties ofcoal produced in a coking oven comprising providing a certain quantityof coal to be tested and a test container intended to receive thequantity of test coal. The test container can have varying degrees ofgas permeability to allow the gases and other volatiles emitted from thecoal to be escape the container. The container is positioned in a cokingoven along with a charge of coking coal. Ideally, the container issubstantially surrounded by the coking coal, at least on the sides ofthe container and potentially also on the top and bottom of thecontainer. The test coal, test container and supply of coking coal areheated in the coking oven to reduce or convert at least a portion of thetest coal to coke and then the container along with the remaining supplyof coking coal and coke converted therefrom are removed from the cokingoven. The test container is recovered for re-use and the quantity oftest coal and coke converted therefrom are recovered and removed fromthe test container for evaluation.

The test container is reused by positioning a second quantity of testcoal in the test container and positioning the test container in acoking oven along with a charge of a second supply of coking coat. Thesecond quantity of test coal, the testing container, and the secondsupply of coking coal are heated in the oven to reduce at least aportion of coal into coke. The test container and the material containedtherein are removed from the oven and the second quantity of test coalis removed from the test container for evaluation. The test containercan once again be repaired, if necessary, and re-used for yet anothertest.

The method can be modified to use a container which includes a barrierliner and/or a test container which includes thermally insulatingmaterial positioned between at least a portion of the test container andthe quantity of test coal. In another modification, the supply of cokingcoal can be formed into a substantially solid charge before the cokingoperation and the test container can be positioned into a recess formedin the substantially solid charge.

Another innovation relates to the structure of a container used forevaluating the coking properties of coal in a horizontal heat recoverycoking oven. This container is formed from a bottom member, a top memberand at least one side member extending between the top and bottommembers. The various members of the test container hold a test sample ofcoal which is intended to be reduced, at least in part, to coke in acoking oven. The container is designed so that it will not be consumedor destroyed during the high heat and harsh reducing environment of thecoking oven and is also designed to be gas permeable so that the gasesand other volatile compounds in the coal can escape during the cokingoperation. One of the various members of the test container isselectively moveable relative to the others so that the container can beopened and loaded with a supply of test coal and then closed to morefully contain the test coal inside the container. The various member ofthe container can be formed from a variety of materials including steel,ceramics, and refractory insulating materials. Various features can beintegrated into the container to facilitate easy of movement of thecontainer by machinery such as one or more loading lugs adapted for usewith a crane or one or more channels adapted to receive the forks of afork lift. While the structure of the container lends itself for use ina horizontal heat recovery coking oven, it is understood that thecontainer can be used in any coking oven.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overhead schematic view of a portion of a bank ofhorizontal heat recovery coking ovens;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of reusable test container;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the reusable test container seen in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the reusable test container seen in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the reusable test container taken alonglines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view of a portion of a horizontal heat recovery coking ovenhaving the test container and the supply of coking coal containedtherein;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart of a method for evaluating the cokingproperties of coal in a coking oven using a reusable test container asdescribed herein;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second reusable test containersuitable for use in evaluating the coking properties of coal in a cokingoven;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the second reusable test container of FIG.8 similar to the view of the first reusable test container as seen inFIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a view of a portion of a horizontal heat recovery coking ovenhaving the test container provided in a stamped charge supply of cokingcoal;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a reusable test container similar to theview of the reusable test container as seen in FIG. 9 showing apartition of the interior space of the container;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a reusable test container similar to theview of the reusable test container as seen in FIG. 11 showing anexpandable in the unexpanded state;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a reusable test container of FIG. 12showing the expandable in the expanded state;

FIG. 14 is a schematic flow chart of a method for evaluating the cokingproperties of stamp charged coal in a coking oven using a reusable testcontainer as described herein; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another variation on reusable testcontainer similar to that seen in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic view of a portion of a commercial cokeoven operation 12 is shown. Ideally, the coke ovens used are horizontalheat recovery coke ovens, but the processes and articles describedherein are suitable for use with any coke ovens. The coke oven operation12 comprises a bank of individual coke ovens 14 adapted to receive asupply of coking coal 16 (FIG. 6) from a conveyor and loading ram system18. The conveyor and loading ram 18 insert a charge of coking coal 16into the coke oven 14 in which the coking coal 16 is subject to highheat for an extended period of time which drives off the volatilematerials and gases in the coking coal 16 resulting in the conversion ofthe coking coal 16 into coke 20. After the conversion process, the coke20 is removed from the oven 14 and transported via a conveyor 22 to aquenching and sizing facility 24 where the hot coke 20 is cooled andbroken up into pieces of coke of a desired size.

The coke oven operation 12 typically includes dozens and dozens ofindividual coke ovens 14 processing tons of coal each day to generatecoke for use in commercial operations such as steel making. The cokeoven operation 12 typically runs continuously, immediately loading a newcharge of coking coal 16 as soon as the coke oven 14 has been clearedfollowing a coking cycle. Continuous operation of the ovens 14 allowsthe efficiency of using the latent heat in the coke oven 14 from onecoking operation in the next cycle. Because of the relative size of thecoke ovens 14, the large capital investment in such structures and thehigh heat required for each coking cycle, it is critically importantthat each coke oven 14 be run substantially continuously with minimaldowntime.

Coal, the raw material used to create coke, is an organic material whichcan vary greatly in its properties from coal mine to coal mine. In viewof these variabilities inherent in the raw material and the significantcapital investment in the coke oven operations, an operator must havesome means for effectively and efficiently testing the cokingperformance of particular coals or coal blends before committing anentire coke oven 14 or battery of ovens to converting the coal. As seenin FIGS. 2-6, a test container 30 is provided which can be used during aconventional, commercial coking operation to allow an operator to use acoke oven 14 to convert a conventional charge of coking coal 16 whilesimultaneously converting a quantity of test coal. The test container 30comprises a bottom member 32 or bottom wall, a side member or pluralityof side walls 34 provided thereon and a top member 36 or top wall. Asseen in FIGS. 2-6, the test container is rectangular in shape with fourside walls 34 extending between the bottom and top members, 32 and 36respectively, however, any number of side members could be used, forexample, a single, cylindrical shaped side member could be used, or anyother number of configurations depending upon the particular needs ofthe situation. Ideally, the structural elements of the test containerare formed of steel or some other material which is adapted to survivethe harsh environment inside the coke oven 14. For example, the topmember 36 and side walls 34 can be formed from ⅜ ths inch steel and thebottom wall can be formed from ½ inch steel. The bottom member 32 ispreferably mounted to the side walls 34 by the flanges 38 welded to thebottom member 32 which are in turn attached via bolts 40 to suitableapertures in the side wall 34. Similarly, the side walls 34 are attachedto one another by cooperating flanges 42 emanating from the side walls34 which are attached to one another by bolts 40. The top member 36 isremovably mounted to the side walls 34 by bolts 40 extending throughsuitable apertures in the top member 36 and a flange provided at theuppermost end of the side walls 34.

In order to provide for ease of transportation and movement of the testcontainer 30, a plurality of lugs 46 can be provided on the side walls34 or other suitable locations so that the container can be lifted by acrane or other piece of machinery. Although lugs 46 are shown, it isunderstood that a variety of different structures can be integrated intothe test container 30 to allow securing the test container for movementsuch as pad-eyes, points, hooks, apertures, or the like. Channels 48 mayalso be mounted to the side walls 34 and/or bottom member 32 and thechannels 48 can be sized to receive the forks of a conventional forkliftto permit easy transportation of the test container 30. Still anotherdesign element of the test container 30 are one or more gussets 50attached to the side walls 34 to give added strength and rigidity to thecontainer 30 for enduring the tortuous coking operation. Similarly, skis54 or other abrasion resistant members can be welded to the bottommember 32 to assist in the sliding movement of the test container. Forexample, when the test container 30 is loaded into the coke oven 14, itwill likely be necessary to slide the container 30 along the bottom wallof the oven and the skis 54 can assist in this sliding action.

During the coking operation, the high heat inside the coke oven 14drives off from the test coal impurities and other volatile materials inthe form of gases and therefore, the container should provide some meansfor the gaseous material to escape. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the testcontainer 30 incorporates multiple apertures 52 formed on the top member36 to allow these gaseous materials to escape the container 30. Theseapertures 52 can also be valuable for allowing quenching fluid to enterand exit the test container 30 during the conventional quenching of thecoke produced. Some of the quenching fluid would be expected to beconverted to gas form during the quenching operation and therefore, theapertures 52 also permit the escape of this gas during the conventionalquenching step of the process. Although not seen in the FIGS. 2-6, oneor more apertures may also be formed on the bottom wall 32 to allow theflow of gases, quenching fluid or quenching steam to escape from thetest container 30.

FIG. 7 provides a schematic flow chart of a method of using the testcontainer during a conventional coke oven operation. A key benefit ofthis method is that it allows for testing of a coal sample as part ofthe continued commercial operation of the coke oven operations. Usingthis process and equipment, the commercial coke oven cycle time andoperation can be maintained with substantially the same coke production.The method begins with a charge of test coal being loaded 60 and in somecases packed into the test container 30 and then the test container isclosed 62. The test container is loaded into the coking oven 64 alongwith a supply of coking coal 66. As seen in FIG. 6, the test container62 is ideally centrally located within the coking oven 14 both from sideto side and front to back. Ideally the supply of coking coal 16 ispacked around the test container to substantially surround all the sidewalls 34 and in some instances, the top member 36 of the container 30.Both the supply of coking coal 16 and the test coal inside the testcontainer 30 are subjected to heat from the coke oven 14 in a closelycontrolled atmosphere for a sufficient period of time to drive off theimpurities and volatile matter converting at least a portion of the coalto coke. Once this conversion process is complete, the conventionalconverted coke, the test container and the test coal (now coke)contained therein, are removed from the coking oven 70. The convertedcoke and converted test coal are quenched 72 and then the test container30 and converted test coal are recovered from the quenched material forevaluation and analysis of the coking capabilities of the test coal 74.The converted test coal is removed from the container by removing thebolts 40 holding the top 36 to the sidewalk 34 of the test container.Alternatively, the bolts can be removed so that one of the side walls 34of the test container is removed. Still another means of removing theconverted test coal would be to remove enough bolts 40 so the top 36 andat least one sidewall 34 are removed or two side walls 34 are removedfrom the balance of the test container 30. The test container 30 is thenrepaired, if necessary, and then reused 76 for a second testingoperation of second quantity of test coal as described above. Pleasenote, the conversion process described above suggests that a completeconversion, of coal to coke is accomplished for both the supply ofcoking coal and test coal, but it is to be understood that completeconversion is not necessarily achieved and therefore, conversion asdescribed herein is understood to mean both complete or partialconversion of coal to coke.

By following the process outlined above, the coking oven receivessubstantially a full charge of conventional coking coal and therefore,the coking cycle of the oven continues to operate at substantially fullcommercial capacity while still allowing for the testing of the cokingquality of coal blends and coal samples in a commercial environment. Inorder to evaluate any adverse effects of coking two different coalblends during the same coking cycle (one coal blend inside the testcontainer 30 and a second, different coal blend loaded into the cokingoven around the container) testing has shown no different cokingperformance resulting from this process. First, coal blend A wasconverted inside a test container with a different coal blend B in thecoking oven and second, coal blend A was converted in the same ovenunder the same operating conditions and no appreciable coking propertieswere realized between coal blend A used in the test container ascompared to coal blend A which was coked by the conventional process.

One key benefit of the test container as described herein is the factthat the container is designed and intended to be reused in at least twocoal to coke conversions. Through the use of suitable materials such asthe steel and ceramic materials described above along with the specificdesign, the container can be used for multiple coking cycles with littleor no repair. This ability to reuse the test container reduces costs andwaste from the testing operation.

The structure of the test container can be altered in various ways toalter the performance of the container during the coking operation.FIGS. 8 and 9 show another embodiment of a test container similar tothat seen in FIGS. 2-5. In describing this other embodiment, the samereference numerals will be used, but increased by 100 as the embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 2-5. In this embodiment, the test container 130 hasthe same general shape with side walls 134 secured to a bottom member132 with a top member 136 selectively mounted to the side walls 134.However, in this embodiment, apertures 152 are formed in the top member136 along with multiple apertures 156 formed in the side walls 134 topermit the free flow of gaseous volatile material from the test coalduring the coking operation. In one embodiment, the apertures 156 are0.75 inches in cross section, but the size of the apertures can rangefrom ⅛^(th) to 2 inches in cross section. Persons skilled in the art canalter the size, number, shape and location of the apertures to best suitthe coking operations. For example, circular apertures are shown herein,but a wide variety of aperture shapes or configurations can be usedincluding oval slots, squares, rectangular openings, etc. The aperturescan be firmed in only the top member 136, one or more side walls 134,only the bottom member 132 or any combination of these various elements.

When steel or some other metal is used to construct the test container,there can be undesirable heat transfer from the structural members ofthe container to the test coal. One solution to this is to providethermally insulating materials intermediate the some or all of themembers of the test container and the test coal. As seen in FIG. 9,layers of thermally insulating material 158 have been provided on theinside of the container intermediate the side walls 134 and the testcoal. With this structure, adverse effects resulting from conduction ofheat from the side walls 134 to the test coal can be minimized oreliminated. FIG. 9 depicts insulating materials only adjacent the sidewalls 134. It is to be understood that insulating materials can be usedadjacent the top member 136, one or more side walls 134, only the bottommember 132 or any combination of these various elements. FIG. 9 alsodepicts the use of a barrier material 160 positioned on top of thebottom member 132. When apertures 160 are provided in the bottom member132, it can be beneficial to insert a barrier material 160 between thetest charge and the bottom member 132 to prevent small pieces of thetest charge from passing through the apertures 160 and potentiallycontaminating the conventional coal charge surrounding the testcontainer 130. A thin layer of plastic resin material can be used and,depending upon the resin material used, this product can be fullyconsumed during the coking operation leaving no residue or impuritiesbehind.

The coking process depicted in FIG. 6 shows the test container looselysurrounded by a charge of coal to be coked. One alternative to thisprocess is to create a stamped charge or brick of coal to be coked. Asseen in FIG. 10, the conventional coal to be coked is first formed intoa stamped charge 170 resembling a large brick before it is loaded intothe coke oven 14. Using the test container 130 according to thisvariation on the process is largely the same as schematically describedin FIG. 7, however, before loading the stamped charge 170 into thecoking oven, a recess or hollowed out section must be formed in thestamped charge 170. The test container 130 is placed inside this recessor hollowed out section and it is preferred that the shape and contourof the recess be as close as practical to the contours of the testcontainer 130 to minimize the open air space around the test container130. One option is to place loose coal in the space between the exteriorsurfaces of the test container 130 and the surface of the recess afterthe test container is positioned in the charge 170 to avoid air pocketsinside the charge 170.

FIG. 14 provides a schematic flow chart of a method of using the testcontainer during a conventional coke oven operation for a stamp chargeof coke. The method begins with a charge of test coal being loaded 460and in some cases packed into the test container 30 and then the testcontainer is closed 462. The test container is positioned within a stampcharge of coal 64, typically placed within a recess formed in the stampcharge. As seen in FIG. 10, the test container 62 is ideally centrallylocated 464 within the stamp charge 170 and then placed 466 in thecoking oven 14, ideally centrally located within the coking oven 14 witha supply of coking coal 16 is positioned around the test container tosubstantially surround all the side walls 34 of the container 30. Boththe supply of coking coal 16 and the test coal inside the test container30 are subjected to heat 468 from the coke oven 14 in a closelycontrolled atmosphere for a sufficient period of time to drive off theimpurities and volatile matter converting at least a portion of the coalto coke. Once this conversion process is complete, the conventionalconverted coke, the test container and the test coal (now coke)contained therein, are removed from the coking oven 470. The convertedcoke and converted test coal are quenched 472 and then the testcontainer 30 and converted test coal are recovered from the quenchedmaterial for evaluation and analysis of the coking capabilities of thetest coal 474. The converted test coal is removed from the container andthe test container 30 is then repaired, if necessary, and then reused 76for a second testing operation of second quantity of test coal asdescribed above.

The testing method described in FIG. 7 begins with a charge of test coalbeing loaded 60 and packed into the test container 30 and then the testcontainer is closed 62. This language suggests loading a single chargeof test coal into the test container. However, it is envisioned that thehollow interior of the test container 30 could be subdivided intomultiple compartments or cavities to allow for testing smallerquantities of different test coals. FIG. 11 shows a different testcontainer 230 similar to the test containers seen in FIGS. 5 and 9. Forease of discussion, the same reference numerals will be used in FIG. 11for elements which are common to FIGS. 5 and 9.

As seen in FIG. 11, the test container 230 incorporates the layers ofthermally insulating material 158 on the inside of the containerintermediate the side walls 134 and the test coal. However, the testcontainer 230 also includes an divider element 234 which extends betweenopposite sides walls 34 of the test container 230 to create twodifferent test spaces 236 and 238 into which a first test coal 240 and asecond test coal 242, respectively, have been loaded. Preferably, thedivider element 234 is formed from a material which will not react withor alter the coking process of the coal provided inside the container.One suitable product to use for the divider element is a thickness ofthe thermally insulating material 158 used to insulate the sidewalk 134of the test container 130 discussed above in FIG. 9 and another suitablematerial is ceramic fiber board. Using this divided structure of thetest container, smaller quantities of multiple different coal blends canbe sampled for coking performance during a single coke oven productioncycle. FIG. 11 shows the creation of two substantially evenly dividedtest spaces, but it is understood that any number of test spaces can becreated within the test container 230 and the relative volume of thetest spaces can be altered by movement of the divider element 234 withinthe test container 230.

Converted coal to coke in a stamp charging operation can require slightmodifications to the structure of the test container. In stamp chargingoperations, coals having lower quality coking performance can be mixedwith higher quality coals to create a suitable blend. However, thismixing can result in a coal blend which will expand during theheating/reduction process. As seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, the testcontainer can be easily modified to accommodate this expansion duringthe coke reducing process. As seen in FIG. 12, one or more sidewalls 332project downward from the top 36 of the test container. The sidewalls332 are designed to be telescopically received inside the sidewalls 34of the test container, but the relative position of these walls to oneanother is not critical in that the sidewalls 332 can be telescopicallyreceived on the outside of the sidewalls 34 of the container. Thesesidewalls 332 and 34 cooperate with one another to act as guides formovement of the top 36 relative to the bottom 32 of the container 330.Means are provided to limit, contain or constrain the expansion of thetop 36 relative to the bottom 32. Specifically, in FIGS. 12 and 13,elongated bolts 340 are mounted in top 36 and a cooperating flange 44provided on the side wall 34. The bolt 340 passes through an aperture inthe flange 44 and the diameter of the flange 44 aperture is slightlylarger than the bolt 340 so that as the top 36 is forced away from thebottom 32 based upon the expansion of the coal blend (FIG. 13) the shaftof the elongated bolt 340 slides through the aperture in the flange 44until the flange encounters the nut 342 or stop formed on the end of theelongated bolt 340. The elongated bolt 340 and cooperating flange 44 arejust one example of a guide and limit on the movement of the top 36relative to the bottom 36 of the test container 330. Other examplesinclude a projection formed on one of the side walls and a complementarygroove or slot formed on the other side wall which allows movement ofthe top 36 relative to the bottom 32. Similarly, rails or guides can beused to both guide and control or limit movement of the top 36 relativeto the bottom 32.

FIG. 15 shows yet another different test container 430 similar to thetest container seen in FIG. 2. For ease of discussion, the samereference numerals will be used in FIG. 15 for elements which are commonto FIG. 2. The test container 430 seen incorporates additional elementsfrom the previous test containers. For example, in some applications, itcan be important to ensure that none of the conventional coal which isloaded around the test container during the coking operationinadvertently enters the test container. So, in some cases, it can beimportant to ensure that the surrounding coal or other impurities cannoteasily enter the test container 430 while still incorporating apertureson the top 36 to allow for the passing of gases and fluids into and outof the test container 430 during the coking and quenching steps. One wayto accomplish this goal is to mount one or more cover members to the top36 of the test container. As seen in FIG. 15, cover members or channels480 formed of steel are welded to the top 36 of the test container insuch a manner to cover the apertures in the top 36, but still allow thefree movement of gases and fluids through the apertures and channels480. With this structure, the volatile gases expelled from the coalduring the coking operation can escape the test container 480 andquenching fluid and steam can enter and exit the test container 430.However, coal which is loaded on top of the test container 430 duringthe charging step, will not inadvertently enter the test container 430.An alternative to the multiple channels would be to mount to the top 36in a spaced relation a cover member or plate also having a plurality ofapertures which do not align with the apertures formed in the top 36.With this structure, gases and fluid could again pass through theapertures in the top 36, pass through the space between the top 36 andthe plate and then pass through the apertures formed in the plate.

Another option integrated into the test container 430 seen in FIG. 15related to the side walls. In FIG. 2, four side walls 34 were mounted toone another to create the fours sided box. In the test container seen inFIG. 15, each side wall is constructed from a plurality of elements,specifically an upper side wall member 482 and a lower side wall member484. The upper and lower side wall members 482, 484 are mounted to thetop 36 and bottom 32 walls of the box in the same manner as describedabove. However, the side wall members each incorporate a laterallyextending flange, 486 and 488, respectively. The flanges are mounted,preferably welded, to the side walls and then mounted to one another byconventional bolts and nuts 40. With this structure, it can be easier torepair a portion of the side wall of the box. Testing has shown that theupper edges of the side walls of the box tend to fail first. Therefore,by creating a segmented side wall, the lifespan of the box can bedramatically increased. Testing has shown that the total lifespan of thetest container can be doubled by providing a simple means such as thesegmented sidewall for permitting easy repair of portions of the testcontainer.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,”and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and areconsidered to be within the scope of the disclosure.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describevarious embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments arepossible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possibleembodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that suchembodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differaccording to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations areintended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

It is also important to note that the constructions and arrangements ofthe test container and processes described in the various exemplaryembodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments havebeen described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the artwho review this disclosure will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations, etc.)without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages ofthe subject matter recited in the claims. For example, elements shown asintegrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, theposition of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the natureor number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied.The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied orre-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions,modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design,operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplaryembodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container for evaluating the coking propertiesof coal in a horizontal heat recovery coking oven comprising: a bottommember; a top member; at least one side member extending between thebottom and top members; the bottom, top and side members defining aninterior chamber that is adapted to contain a test sample of coal and tobe positioned inside a horizontal heat recovery coking oven along with asupply of coking coal during the process of reducing into coke at leasta portion of the test sample of coal and the supply of coking coalwherein the container is formed at least in part from materials whichwill not be consumed during the reduction process; the container havinga plurality of vent apertures that penetrate at least one of the bottommember, top member, or at least one side member of the container; thevent apertures being positioned in open communication with the interiorchamber and shaped to allow the passage of fluids into, and from within,the interior chamber through the at least one of the bottom member, topmember, or at least one side member of the container during thereduction process; and at least one of the bottom member, top member andat least one side members is selectively moveable to an open position toaccommodate the charging of the container with test coke prior toreduction process, moveable to a closed position during the reductionprocess and moveable to the open position following the reductionprocess for the recovery of the test coal for evaluation purposes.
 2. Acontainer according to claim 1 wherein at least one side memberscomprises a plurality of side walls which extend between the top andbottom members.
 3. A container according to claim 1 wherein at least oneof the bottom member, top member and at least one side member of thecontainer is formed, at least in part, from materials selected from thegroup of steel, ceramic, and refractory materials so that the containercan be used for multiple processes of reducing test samples of coal intocoke.
 4. A container according to claim 1 wherein at least one ventaperture is provided on the bottom member of the container and furthercomprising a barrier liner provided intermediate the bottom member andthe test sample of coal to contain the test sample of coal in thecontainer prior to reduction.
 5. A container according to claim 4wherein the barrier liner is formed from a material which is consumedduring the process of reducing coal into coke.
 6. A container accordingto claim 1 wherein a plurality of vent apertures are provided on atleast one of the bottom member and the top member, the apertures beingin the range of ⅛th to 2 inches in cross section.
 7. A containeraccording to claim 1 and further comprising an insulating layer providedin the container intermediate the test sample of coal prior to reductionand at least one of the bottom member, top member and at least one sidemember of the container.
 8. A container according to claim 7 wherein theinsulation layer is formed from a refractory material which is providedintermediate the test sample of coal prior to reduction and the at leastone side member of the container.
 9. A container according to claim 1and further comprising at least one loading lug provided on the bottommember of the container, the loading lug being adapted to cooperate withmachinery used to load coal into a coke oven.
 10. A container accordingto claim 1 wherein the top member is removably mounted to the containerfor repeated processes of charging of the container with coal andremoving coke from the container following reduction.
 11. A containeraccording to claim 1 wherein the container is formed from four sidemembers mounted to one another.
 12. A container according to claim 11and further comprising a plurality of vent apertures formed in the sidemembers.
 13. A container according to claim 12 and further comprising agusset provided on at least one of the side members to provide addedstructural support thereto.
 14. A container according to claim 12wherein the plurality of vent apertures are in the range of ⅛th to 2inches in cross section.
 15. A container according to claim 12 whereinthe plurality of vent apertures are substantially 0.75 inches in crosssection.
 16. A container according to claim 1 wherein at least one ofthe bottom, top and side members being adapted to be moveable relativeto at least one of the other of the bottom, top and side members duringthe reduction process to accommodate expansion of the test sample ofcoal as the test sample of coal is converted to coke.
 17. A containeraccording to claim 1 and further comprising at least one divider elementadapted to create at least two test spaces within the test container sothat the coking properties of multiple blends of coal can be testedsimultaneously.
 18. A container according to claim 1 wherein at leastone vent aperture is provided on the top member of the container topermit the expulsion of gases and volatile materials from the containerduring the reduction process.
 19. A container according to claim 18 andfurther comprising at least one cover member provided on the testcontainer adjacent the at least one vent aperture wherein gases andvolatile materials may be expelled from the container through the atleast one vent aperture during the reduction process, but the entry ofimpurities into the test container through the at least one ventaperture is resisted.